Long Định village, Long Điền A commune, Chợ Mới district, An Giang province, some 26 km northwest of Long Xuyên city is well-known for its agricultural production. After many generations of rice cultivation, farmers at Long Định village have thoroughly understood their forefathers’ saying, “First, water; second, manure; third, industriousness; and fourth, rice strains.”

Water is the first and foremost factor. Mr Nguyễn Thanh Be, a farmer in the village, explains: “Letting the water run through the paddy field is one of the ways to fertilize the soil and support the growth of the rice”.

Mr Nguyễn Văn Toản, another outstanding farmer in Long Định village, adds, “Applying fertilizer is very necessary in the growth of rice. If they want the fertilizer to have good effects, farmers should better understand each kind of fertilizer they use. They should apply fertilizer in the proper amount, at the right time.” When the rice plants start to flourish, it is very important to care for them. Both men agree that “Farmers should regularly and continually care for the paddy field in an effort to protect them from weeds and insects.” They affirm that “Without the farmers’ industriousness, rice cultivation will be ineffective.” Among the above four factors, rice strains rank last but they have an important role. According to Mr Nguyễn Thanh Be, “Without good rice strains, the rice output could not be as high as desired, even if the farmers have strictly followed all the other stages from running water, to manuring, and looking after the rice field.”

Now, thanks to efforts such as state investment and preferential policies in building the irrigation network, reinforcing the local dyke system, and applying new technologies in rice production, local farmers have had a chance to increase to two or three rice crops a year. The current rice output averages 6.5 tonnes per hectare, per crop.